Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union a judge April 18, tossed out the state Education Department’s new oversight program for parochial schools, independent schools and Yeshivas. The court found the rule was improperly put in place. State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba found the new guidelines were in fact rules, and therefore had to go through a prescribed process of rule making which was not done. Ryba's decision voided the rules, thereby nullifying the state program. The rules charged local school boards with surveying the non-public schools to determine if they were following state law. State education officials said they are evaluating Ryba's decision before determining the department's next steps, State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. Operators of non-public schools hailed the decision. James Cultrara, executive secretary of the state Council of Catholic School Superintendents, said, “We’ve prided ourselves on going above and beyond state academic standards. Parents have always chosen our schools because of that rigor and they can remain confident in the strength of our schools going forward.” Read the full story in the Times Union.